Diaphragm valve



May 5, 1959 H. zlNKlL 2,885,180

' DIAPHRAGM VALVE Filed Aug. 22, 195e DIAPHRAGM VALVE Roy H. Zinkil, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to 'Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois This invention relates generally to valves, and more particularly it pertains to diaphragm type valves, especially those known as ballcocks or oat actuated supply valves as for use in plumbing water closet llush tanks or the like.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide diaphragm type closure means which will not buckle or distort as a result of mounting so as to lead to objectionable chatter or dynamic vibrations o-r to failure to open under low inlet pressure conditions.

It has been found that chatter can take place in constructions where the exible diaphragm is not exactly centered. A considerable amount of space is usually provided in such constructions around the diaphragm which, alo-ng with other purposes, permit the same to be loosely dropped into place within the counterbore or relief portion, which spacing allows for off-centered positioning taking place. The diaphragm is not made larger in such constructions so as to completely ll the space and t tightly within the recess, not only to avoid the need and inconvenience of applying pressure on said diaphragm in order to force the same into position during mounting, but more signicantly to provide a certain amount of peripheral space into which the diaphragm can expand or spread after clamping between the body and bonnet to eliminate any undue distortion of the diaphragm which will prevent low pressure opening of the valve or otherwise interefere with its proper function. It should of course be understood that the extent to which the diaphragm in such constructions is clamped or squeezed is relatively slight, being limited or controlled by a certain predetermined depth of the recess within which the diaphragm is received and sufficient to effect a proper nid tight seal, the amount of squeeze being intended only to insure a iluid seal between the diaphragm and casing.

The present invention solves the `difliculty present in the prior constructions by providing a relatively narrow peripheral bead or continuous exible projection around the circumference of the diaphragm so as to preferably substantially lill the entire space across the counterbore in the plane of the projection or to present only slight resistance with the outer wall of the recess while being inserted therewithin. The diaphragm is )thus preserved substantially in its original or previous size except for the addition of the bead. In this manner the diaphragm is always placed in a substantially perfectly centered position within the relief or counterbore. The peripheral yspace between the main part of the diaphragm and outer wall of the recess allows for expansion or spreading of the diaphragm in this direction after limited clamping is effected which performs a relief function for the diaphragm. It prevents undue inward distortion and consequent buckling resulting in failure of the valve to open under low inlet pressure and the production of the objecy tionable chatter or dynamic vibrations referred to above.

The use of the peripheral bead andthespace between A 2,885,180 iatented May 5, 1 959 e t 1C the main part of the diaphragm and outer wall of the recess prior to attachment of the bonnet serves another important purpose. By virtue of this arrangement, when the bonnet is secured to the body portion with the limited clamping of the diaphragm, the squeezing and spreading imposed on the latter when so clamped is effective to press the continuous peripheral bead into tight Huid sealed engagement with the outer wall of the recess in a highly loaded substantially limited area or line bearing contact. Where the diaphragm is the only member within the recess or counterbore the sealing between the bead and wall is an additional and final means of insuring fluid tight engagement between the diaphragm and casing. Where a baffle member is also received within the recess as shown in the preferred form illustrated, the engagement between the extending bead and recess wall becorns essentially the primary sealing means of the diaphragm. Except for the high unit loading, limited area of contact afforded by the bead and peripheral relief arrangement of the diaphragm of the present invention, effective sealing could not be had under the relatively low or controlled clamping of the diaphragm necessary to avoid buckling and distorting with the attendant dangers of chatter and failure of low pressure opening of the valve. For instance, considerable diculty has been experienced in the matter of leakage where the diaphragm fills the entire recess space and reliance is had in sealing on contact between the entire area of ythe wall and outer periphery of the diaphragm.

Other objections and advantages will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the specification read in the light of the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional assembly view of a preferred embodiment of my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the body portion of the valve with the exible diaphragm of this invention received therewithin prior to securement of the bonnet to the body.

Referring in detail to the drawing figures, the numeral 1 designates a hollow valve casing of a supply valve as used in water closet ush tanks or the like, which casing comprises a body portion 2 and a bonnet or cap member 3. The valve casing is mounted on the usual inlet supply tube 4 as shown, the casing also having a portedseat member 5 threadedly received on the same threading connecting the supply tube. The casing, as mentioned, is hollow, being provided with the chamber 7 within which the ported seat member extends.

The casing is further relieved at or along the parting line between the bonnet and body portions for reception of a flexible, imperforate diaphragm member 9. In the illustrated form the relief takes the form of a counterbore 10 wholly contained within :the body portion of the valve as shown in the drawing. This relief or counterbore is provided with a continuous annular outer wall 11 and a flat bottom surface or shoulder 12. The lower surface of the bonnet forms the top of the relief, facing in spaced, parallel relation the shoulder 12 and coextensive therewith. In the form shown, the bonnet is also relieved at 13 to provide an upper chamber in cooperation or continuation with the lower chamber or portion below the diaphragm, thus constituting the hollow interior of the casing. The bonnet further contains a central bore 14 for reception of the cylindrical plunger 15 for depression .if the diaphragm into engagement with the ported seat member 5 in the closed valve position. This plunger member is depressed or actuated by rotation of thelever 17 pivotally supported at 20, this-member being moved by the action of the tank water acting on the usual oat (not shown) in the well known manner.

The body portion 2 is also providedwith a; side cavity usualrorutlet orthush tube 22 and re- 2 'lhtube fuor-shown) -casing or more `particularly the body portion thereof is thus seen to be provided with an inlet and outlet for the `flow therethrough of supply *It iatapparentthat the diaphragm l9,-which `is 'preferably constructed-of `rubber or the like,l separates hollow interior of the casing into the upper andlower l chambers: previously noted. Considering `the diaphragm l moreapeclcally `and `with referenceto Fign 2" prior-to assembly or mounting `of the `member withinthevalve t it is `essentially `of flat disc-like formas apparent hgure but contains a pair of oppositely disposed 24` and 25 producing a dat web Aportion "16 n. Vlheseannular grooves tare interme` `central zseatwcontactableportion/27 andthe ofthe diaphragm. It "should benoted the `annular grooves are of substantially fthe l-aamedepthwandrextent-andthat the outer edges ofthe "vaarnewterfminate-opposite the innersurface of the hollow aboveand `below the recess 10. The underlying pnrpoaevof stepped form of diaphragm isset forth application Serial No; 375,179, filed August 1144,` 19535, Briefly, however, this arrangementcontributes lo a betterperforming valve having less tendency to proand chatter.`

\ within` the annular recess orcounterhere Itis; a thin.` pxeferablemetallic `battle plate 29sup ported on flat annularshoulder 12 and having a downinncr portion 30 'terminating in a central "openinll Atot' the passageof the diaphragm therethrough eontactwith the; ported seatmernber :is-preferably a perforated sheet containing relatively closely spaced apertures of relatively small diameterptheproportionyof the solid part of thebalile plntetothe open area depending on the particular service towhich thevalve is put. `also helps in the matter-of water noise and `chiamiamo iwkat ne disparan-in n shaun 'he noted fromFig. 2 that prior to mountingor securement of `the `bonnet'to thehody` portion the-diaphragm member is relatively loosely received within the` counter- Il, providing a certain substantial space indicated at lbatweentheouterperipheral walll34 of the dia- `pllralllllalldtho outer ,wall l1 "of `the couuterbore.` It also `he noted thatythe thickness or height of the rtllerrlberly is somewhat greater than the depth of or eounterbore minusthethickness of the battle t 29 received thcrewithin. The diaphragm` memanni` wording te the iuunratedform of the a continuous outwardly projecting anportion 35 medially positioned on the outer *wlll`341of1 withtheouterwall of the'recess inthe Fig. 2 relawaen un benne: nt-mbe:` s is placed venne may `supported diaphragm and fastened securely to by means of theY screws 31 the diaphragm drediaphragmand making at least light con-` -sureconditions because of themsame being `depressed at the center so as to prevent pr interfere with theinflow of supply water. It is also found that such buckling tends to produce an unstable condition facilitating chatter or dynamic vibrations.

It should therefore be apparent that the provision of the annular relief or space is most significant in that it eliminates the effect of buckling with its attendant failure of low pressure opening and chatter promoting tendencies by providing space into Awhich the diaphragm can expand. The width of the bead and consequently the size of the relief` may` of course vary .accordingwto the amount of outward expansion or spreading of the diaphragm to be accommodated. Itshould be noted, however, that the depth of the relief 10 minus the thickness of the baille plate 29 is preferably only slightly less than the thickness of the rim portion ofthe diaphragm `so that only `a limited and controlledamount of clamping and consequent; squeezing or ureduction in height of the diaphragrn takes place. f In this'way` the limited or controlled spreading of the rim portion ofthe diaphragm under the clamping action is largelyrelieved within the peripheral space `33 and ydoes not exert itself as` any `undue force tending tocause the objectionable distortion and buckling.

Thepresence of the peripheral bead orproection 35 `and the annular reliefisalso of great s'ignicance in contact. The squeezingof the diaphragm resultingfrom the clamping thereof, is therefore utilized in electing the fluid tight seal around its periphery.

It should be remembered in this connection that with the `baille member 29 `in the preferred form there is a tendency for `leakage to occur between the diaphragm and shoulder 12 of the recess and consequently, the pro jection 35 is the means ofsealing primarily depended on for fluid tight sealing between the diaphragm and body. It should also be noted `thatline bearing or concentrated arca contact is much more effective in sealing than extcnsive engagement4 over a broad area. In the latter regard and aslpreviouslynoted, considerable dicultywas experienced in the matter of leakage where the diaphragm filled the entirevrecess and reliance was had insealing on contact between the entire area of the wall and outer periphery of the diaphragm (assuming theuse of a baille member). Of course, buckling diflcultes were also present in this form vinasmuch as there was no peripheral relief present into which outward expansion of the diaphragm could take place. Also, even with the peripheral relief the extent of clampingof the diaphragm mustube predeterminately limited in order to `prevent buckling.

Accordingly and in view of the above, except for the relatively highly loaded, limited area of contact aorded by the bead and peripheral relief arrangement ofthe diaphragm of the present` invention.; effective sealing previously `designated 33 will now have been subl Y as wellas the taking place of a certaininwatdrnovement of therubber rim portion 38 ofthe It 'should be evident, howeverilthat by the annularspace into whichthe out- `offthe` takes place a sort of iemrovidedwhlchzprevents; any excessive inward l portion inthe opposite direction.

the relief33 were not present the entire tortiontof the nonsupported portionof the diaphragm.

resulting `in considerable buckling ordist could not be had under the relatively low or controlled clamping of the diaphragm necessary to avoid buckling and distortion with the attendant dangers of chatter promotion and failure of ilow pressure opening of the valve.

Also ofr importance and derived, from the of the peripheralubeadA 35 is the substantially perfect" cen- -tering afforded the diaphragm member within there lieved portion of the body during assembly whichpre vents the offcenter positioning mentioned in the preamble, which lead to chatternand buckling distortion.

i The latterwas of course the result of unevenperpheral spaceinto :which the diaphragm could spreadaor, ex-

lxpeaianea hast shownLthatnmchbuckling andldiatoxtion -pand1outwardlyunder1the clnmpingload, thuswpmducing vessentially semi-circular contiguration in cross section. jThis 1sl of importance in facilitating placement of the diaphragm Within the relief inasmuch as the lower part of the rounded surface tends to permit the diaphragm to cam into or drop easily into place within the recess.

It should of course be appreciated that the peripheral bead of this invention has another important advantage in that it compensates for manufacturing tolerances which cause variations in the size of the bore in the body and also the outside diameter of the rubber diaphragm.

It should also be understood that forms and modifications can be had other than the form shown and therefore, the invention should be limited only by the terms of the appended claims read in the broad light of the inventive concept.

I claim:

1. A valve comprising in combination a hollow casing having a ported seat, said casing comprising a body portion having the ported seat and a bonnet secured to the body portion, said casing being relieved at the juncture of the body portion and bonnet thereof from the hollow interior of the casing towards the outside so as to present wall means defining the outer limits of the relief, a exible impervious diaphragm of material such as rubber extending across the inside of said hollow casing and received within said relief thereof, means extending through said bonnet for depressing said diaphragm into contact with said ported seat, said diaphragm having outer peripheral wall means and being of dimensions across said peripheral wall means prior to mounting of the diaphragm within the casing less than the dimensions across said relief of the casing, said diaphragm having continuous peripheral extending means along and outwardly of the peripheral wall means thereof prior to mounting of the diaphragm, said peripheral extending means prior to mounting of the diaphragm being substantially of uniform size around the diaphragm, the dimensions of said diaphragm across said peripheral extending means prior to mounting being at least approximately those across said relief whereby centering of the main part of the diaphragm within said relief during mounting is afforded, the difference between the dimensions across said Wall means of the diaphragm prior to mounting and those across the relief providiing for expansion of the diaphragm outwardly under clamping pressure when the bonnet is secured to the body portion in the course of assembly of the valve and mounting of the diaphragm, said bonnet and body portions each having surface means providing opposed surfaces defining sides of said relief, said bonnet and body portion each having an annular surface outwardly of the relief abutting each other in the assembled relation of the valve whereby to fix the space between said surface means at opposite sides of the relief in the assembled relation of the valve, the spacing of said surface means at opposite sides of the relief in the assembled relation of the valve being predeterminately less than that of the opposite surfaces of the diaphragm, prior to assembly, within the relief and engaging said surface means at opposite sides of the relief in the assembled relation of the valve, the spacing of said opposite surfaces of the diaphragm within the relief in the assembled relation of the valve being sufciently greater, prior to assembly, than the spacing of said surface means at opposite sides of the relief to provide for outward expansion of said diaphragm and pressing of said peripheral extending means thereof against said wall means of the relief so as to provide limited area fluid sealing contact therewith but insuf- 4 6 t cient to cause excessive inward expansion of the diaphragm resulting in appreciable buckling thereof.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, said diaphragm having a relatively thick central portion for engagement with the ported seat in the closed position and a portion of reduced thickness outwardly thereof,'said portion of reduced thickness extending at least to the relief of said casing.

3. The subject matter of claim 2 including a baffle member extending within said relief of the casing, said baffle member being on the side of the diaphragm facing the ported seat and engaged by said diaphragm within the recess, the surface of the baffle member engaged by said diaphragm being one of said surface means at opposite sides of the relief.

4. A valve comprising in combination a hollow casing having a ported seat, said casing comprising a body portion having the ported seat and a bonnet secured to the body portion, said casing being relieved at the juncture of the body portion and bonnet thereof from the hollow interior of the casing towards the outside so as to present wall means defining the outer limits of the relief and spaced opposed surface means forming the sides of the relief, a exible impervious diaphragm of material such as rubber extending across the inside of said hollow casing and received within said relief thereof, means extending through said bonnet for depressing said diaphragm into contact with said ported seat, said diaphragm having oppositely facing back to back annular grooves between the center seat contactible portion and outer limits of the member, the grooves being of substantially the same size and of uniform size and depth throughout their extent, said grooves being of substantial extent in the direction towards the center of the diaphragm whereby to produce a reduced flexible lweb portion intermediate the center portion and outer limits, said grooves in the mounted relation of the diaphragm extending outwardly at least as far as near the unrelieved portion of the casing adjacent the relief within which the diaphragm is received, a bafe member extending within said relief of the casing, said baille member being on the side of the diaphragm facing the ported seat and being interposed within the relief of the casing between the diaphragm and one of the spaced opposed surface means of the relief, said diaphragm having outer peripheral wall means and being of dimensions across said wall means prior to mounting of the diaphragm within the casing less than the dimensions across said relief of the casing, said diaphragm having continuous peripheral extending means along and outwardly of the peripheral wall means thereof prior to mounting of the diaphragm, said peripheral extending means prior to mounting of the diaphragm being substantially of uniform size around the diaphragm, the dimensions of said diaphragm across said peripheral extending means prior to mounting being at least approximately those across said relief whereby centering of the main part of the diaphragm Within said relief during mounting is afforded, the difference between the dimensions across said wall means of the diaphragm prior to mounting and those across the relief providing for expansion of the diaphragm outwardly under clamping pressure when the bonnet is secured to the body portion in the course of assembly of the valve and mounting of the diaphragm, said bonnet and body portion each having an annular surface outwardly of the relief abutting each other in the assembled relation of the valve whereby to fx the space between the surface of the baffle member engaged by said diaphragm and the one of the spaced opposed surface means of the relief on the other side of the diaphragm, the spacing of said surface of the baille member engaged by said diaphragm and said one of the spaced opposed surface means of the relief to each other being predeterminately less than that of the opposite surfaces of the diaphragm, prior to assembly, within the relief t www `7 mid `allieMuthmid midV one ,viale spaced x surfacelimeans pfthe `reliefmiitlthe alsmhhrl mistica `of the: valve. thepacins of Said 0pt `0f thewdiaphragrn within vtlie relief inthe "relation'of the valve beingsuiciently greater,

plinrctoLassenibly, than the spacing of `said surface of the `lianellllneiliber engaged by said diaphragm `and said one of the spaced oppsed surface means of the relief `xqeah pthento provide for outward expnnsinn ofwsaid and pressing of saidperipheral extending menus `thereof against said wall means `of the relief so asto provide limited area` liuid sealing contact therewith but insucient to cause excessive inward expansion of `therliapllrngm resulting in nppreciable buckling thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Schulho lMay 30,@1939 `McFarland IulyLZ'l, 1 954 FOREIGN PA'IENTS mSwitzerland of 1944 

